Powder throwers

[Brucebarker024]

Looking at adding an electronic powder thrower to my reloading arsenal. Would like the autotrickler v4 but just can’t convince myself to go that route due to cost.

Looking at the chargemaster supreme or the Hornady auto charge pro. Appreciate any input.

Also not opposed to just buying a higher end scale and just using my manual thrower and trickling up. Looking at all options and would love to hear personal experiences and opinions.

 

[Bluumoon]

Harrels basic manual thrower gets the nod from me

 

[Dos XX]

You can throw with a thrower then trickle with a Dandy battery powered trickler onto a scale, like an Fx120i. I did for a long time before the Auto Trickler came out. Loaded thousands of rounds that way.

The Lee powder thrower is fine for this.

I had a Charge master before doing the Dandy and FX120i. I checked my CM against the FX, and what the CM read and what the FX said was actually in the pan were sometimes 1/2 grain apart. Maybe my CM was an outlier.

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[Ishootgunssometimes]

I use a Pact dispenser I picked up on eBay. Think OG Chargemaster. It’s awesome and cheap.

 

[Matt5266]

My first chargemaster was way off. Rcbs sent a replacement and it's never been more than .2 grains off

 

[Spoonbilla]

I don't think you can go wrong with a chargemaster.

 

[KyleR1985]

One disadvantage to electronic: throwing powder at 4am can be heard by sleeping toddlers and wives.


I found myself pouring powder out the bottle this morning wishing I had a manual thrower.

 

[Carl Ross]

I've had a Hornady unit (their first pitch) and I didn't like or trust it, it wandered aggressively. I've used the regular Chargemasters a bit, they were better but I still don't trust any of the strain gauge scales to stay where you left them for long.

I used a FX120i + Harrell's + Dandy powder trickler for a few years until Adam came out with the Autotrickler. I'm now up to the V2 Autotrickler w/ the Ingenuity Precision trickler swapped in. It's good for what I do, but you can't buy it except used.

If I were you, I'd start with a decent thrower, and add a FX120i if what I did called for it. Throw the loads that aren't specifically for long range precision and weigh the ones that are. At least then you'll have a decent scale you can trust, and if you want to upgrade you always can.

 

[pender1]

I've got a Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper that I've been very happy with.

 

[waspocrew]

My chargemaster is 12 years old and still going strong. It does slow the process down a bit compared to a thrower, but it's not too bad.

 

[plebe]

You can throw with a thrower then trickle with a Dandy battery powered trickler onto a scale, like an Fx120i. I did for a long time before the Auto Trickler came out. Loaded thousands of rounds that way.

The Lee powder thrower is fine for this.

I had a Charge master before doing the Dandy and FX120i. I checked my CM against the FX, and what the CM read and what the FX said was actually in the pan were sometimes 1/2 grain apart. Maybe my CM was an outlier.

Dandy 2-Speed Electric Powder Trickler

Enhance your ammo reloading experience with our 2-speed electric powder trickler. Visit Dandy Products LLC's website to order now.

dandyproductsllc.com

I agree this is the best combo if there is any thought of upgrading to an auto or super tricker. That’s like $580 for the scale, $130 for the Dandy, and $30 for the Lee. So, $740ish.

However, that starts to get close to the Matchmaster, $899 retail, which I have no experience with but is reportedly pretty good.

But that starts to get close to the full V4 setup at $1070.

Hard not to go all in straight away then, imo.

Even downgrading the scales (Creedmoor, EJ, etc.) doesn’t save much coin, but gets the package down to about half-a-grand.

On the low cost side of things, is the Link the best buy for someone not planning to ever get an autotrickler?

 

[peaches]

I have a mistrust of electronic devices measuring gun powder when my head is going to be in close proximity of it igniting.

I'm just old school with a Ohaus or Dillon beam scales and mechanical dispenser from rcbs(ball powders) and cheap Lee (for stick powders).

 

[Brucebarker024]

I agree this is the best combo if there is any thought of upgrading to an auto or super tricker. That’s like $580 for the scale, $130 for the Dandy, and $30 for the Lee. So, $740ish.

However, that starts to get close to the Matchmaster, $899 retail, which I have no experience with but is reportedly pretty good.

But that starts to get close to the full V4 setup at $1070.

Hard not to go all in straight away then, imo.

Even downgrading the scales (Creedmoor, EJ, etc.) doesn’t save much coin, but gets the package down to about half-a-grand.

On the low cost side of things, is the Link the best buy for someone not planning to ever get an autotrickler?

I have a thrower and trickler already, this is the route I was considering since I could eventually get an auto trickler. Plus the chargemaster supreme is within 100 bucks of the fx120.

 

[plebe]

I have a thrower and trickler already, this is the route I was considering since I could eventually get an auto trickler. Plus the chargemaster supreme is within 100 bucks of the fx120.

Then I think your main consideration should be if your reloading environment can provide lab-like conditions for your scale.

I haven’t seen anything conclusively showing the Supreme is more precise than the cheaper Link, but if the 120 has an optimal environment it does outperform the scale function of either of them.

 

[Dos XX]

The fx120 comes with a draft shield. Plug it in and turn it on an hour before you use it. Mine is on a piece of marble or granite tile on my bench in my house. I have loaded a whole bunch or rounds on it.

Buy a checkweigh for it. I can count kernels of Varget with it.

 

[plebe]

The fx120 comes with a draft shield. Plug it in and turn it on an hour before you use it. Mine is on a piece of marble or granite tile on my bench in my house. I have loaded a whole bunch or rounds on it.

Buy a checkweigh for it. I can count kernels if Varget with it.

Can be sensitive to elements (interferences and humidity) other than draft. The marble is a good trick to reduce vibration.

 

[Dos XX]

Can be sensitive to elements (interferences and humidity) other than draft. The marble is a good trick to reduce vibration.

I haven't found it to be. It is sensitive to vibration. Don't bump into the bench.

 

[Brucebarker024]

Then I think your main consideration should be if your reloading environment can provide lab-like conditions for your scale.

I haven’t seen anything conclusively showing the Supreme is more precise than the cheaper Link, but if the 120 has an optimal environment it does outperform the scale function of either of them.

I certainly wouldn’t say my garage has “lab-like” conditions haha. My bench is solidly built and anchored to the wall.

Would that be a waste of money then? Are the conditions truly that important? I understand letting them warm up and making sure there is not draft.

 

[plebe]

I certainly wouldn’t say my garage has “lab-like” conditions haha. My bench is solidly built and anchored to the wall.

Would that be a waste of money then? Are the conditions truly that important? I understand letting them warm up and making sure there is not draft.

Not at all, just a few things may impact the scale and it’s worth being aware of and avoiding them. Like fluorescent lighting, poor line power quality, air currents. Cell phone interference, magnetic fields.

 

[Pharmseller]

Chargemaster for hunting ammo.

Lee thrower for .223.




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